SPENCER, Iowa (KELO.com) — Hundreds of protesters took to the main Spencer street last night in a protest march organized to demand justice in the death of a Minnesota man who died last week after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on the man’s neck for more than 9 minutes.
But unlike protests in many other places in Iowa, and around the country, the Spencer march remained peaceful.
Protesters marched from East Leach Park, which is located adjacent to Grand Avenue, or Highway 71, in southeast Spencer, northward up Grand Avenue, arriving at Spencer Police Headquarters, which is located at the northern end of the Grand Avenue business district. Once at the police station, protesters gathered in a barricaded section of the parking lot, chanting slogans and hearing speeches, before retracing their route back to East Leach Park, where the group disbanded.
Many business owners along the march’s route had boarded up the windows of their establishments as a precaution in case violence erupted, as has been seen in many other areas. Local Police, Sheriff’s Deputies and Iowa State Troopers were augmented by other law enforcement officers from around the state to make sure the protest remained peaceful, and to protect both the local citizens and the protesters. In addition, Spencer-area citizens, some armed with long guns, were visible standing watch, as well.
The March began at 5:00 Thursday evening and wrapped up about 8:00 pm.
(Tom Traughber, KIWA, contributed this report.)
